Rabbi Arthur Waskow 12/2/2004

Dear Friends,

I am astonished and outraged that CBS and NBC have refused to air an ad from the United Church of Christ because it spoke of that Church as inclusive of many sorts of people often left out of conventional religious life — including gay people.

That one network cited as a reason the support of "the Executive Branch" for a Constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage leaves me thunderstruck.

So whatever position disagrees with the President's policy on X issue cannot be broadcast by two of the most important disseminators of information that the public has?

How destructive to democracy and to wise decision-making!

How disastrous to the religious ferment and questioning and comforting that have deepened the meaning of religion in American life!

How repellent! — That the same networks which report with glee the hate-filled rhetoric of some religious groups and that meanwhile make billions from presenting gratuitous violence and rapacious sex refuse to broadcast a message of gentle, loving, inclusive religion.

I hope we will all urge their presidents to think again, to repent of this unwise action, and to broadcast the ad.

The presidents are Les Moonves (CBS, 212/975-4321) and Robert Wright (NBC, 212/664-4444).

With blessings that we all come to seek and feel that truer, deeper shalom — harmony — that arises not from conformity but from wrestling with God and with each other, for the sake of Heaven.

I look forward to your responses to this Weblog comment

— Arthur